Thursday, July 10, 2008
Looking Ahead
A few weeks to go in July and August will kick in. Don't wait until August 30th is upon you to begin to reflect upon plans for the upcoming school year. Enjoy the rest of July and half of August then start thinking about working smarter not harder. Every year we learn how to do things a little better and we learn from our mistakes of yesterday. Some of you will be returning to new classrooms, new schools, new positions or just embracing new students or administrators. Whatever the case may be, prepare your mind for the challenges ahead and embrace a positive attitude for your new season. Enjoy where you are but don't neglect to look ahead and prayerfully implement strategies to help you reach your new goals.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
4 comments:
I truly enjoyed reading all your posts, but this one in particular jumped out at me. Until we, as educators, realize the impact we have on children's lives each day and each year, we will not truly prepare in the way that we should. When students come to us at the start of each year we have an opportunity to plan for them and to create something new in them. We become the facilitators of growth and development for that year. Let us all look forward to and embrace the new year with a new excitement and eagerness to change the lives of our students.
Taking stock in where you are and what you are about to do is sound advice. As a doctoral student and high school administrator I focus on both long and short term goals. I have just been assigned a new high school this upcoming school year. My new responsibilities are many and my free time will not exist. That coupled with my Nova responsibilities means I will not see my family this year.
Before I start to get depressed I should remind myself I am a glass half full person that looks for reasons to celebrate what comes along. As I complete every course it is a time to celebrate. My recent advancement at work was a time to celebrate. My trip to Florida for Nova will be a celebration. As I prepare for the upcoming school year even with all of its responsibilities I will smile with the knowledge that I will learn a lot and help many of my students and assist my teachers. I guess the wise one has one eye on the future and another enjoying (however small) what life has to offer. For doctoral students my humble advice would be steal an hour every so often to do what you want. Clearly define to family and friends that you will see them when this is over. Keep an eye on your future and celebrate something at least weekly. I know I will when my blogging is done.
Your post really touched me. It must have been meant for me to come to your post. I have been thinking in the back of my head new strategies and approaches to utilize this year in my math class. I have been jotting these ideas in a notebook so I can resort to it (and hopefully not forget about it). I have been looking for math websites and projects to introduce this year. I feel this will offer new territory for me to explore as well as offer students an way to engage in math from a different approach. As I implement such strategies, I always remember to pray that things will go well and if they don't, show me how to improve.
AS I continue in this program, I also remember to take time for myself and to celebrate accomplishments thus far. (Every week completed is an accomplishment which I reward myself 2 hours of tv time Sunday evenings.) The completion of a semester warrants a nice dinner or outfit or time at the beach just relaxing. So as I continue, I'll remember your advice as I appreciate where I have been, reaching where I am now but not losing sight of where I am going.
Your post was very inspiring. I am just learning how relax for the summer and not obsess over work. I have the opposite problem, I continue to look ahead and I don't take the time to relax over the summer, when it is not hectic. I like to be prepared for the school year. I will defiantly think about working smarter not harder. That statement will stay with me whenever I get stressed or feel like I can't get everything done I need too.
Post a Comment